Machine for making articles composed of wire rings or links



Oct. 23, 1928. 1,688,988

- F. A. K. ROLLE MACHINE FOR MAKING'ARTICLES COMPOSED OF WIRE RINGS OR LINKS Filed Aug. 19. 1922 s Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR w/mEss ,z/p Emu:

R A TTORNEKS Oct. 23, 1928. 1,688,988

F. A. K. ROLLE MACHINE FOR MAKING ARTICLES COMPOSED 0F WIRE RINGS OR LINKS Filed Aug. 19. 1922 5 sheets-sheet 2 nnmum F. A. K. ROLLE MACHINE FOR MAKING ARTICLES "cbMPosED OF WIRE RINGS 0R LINKNS- Filed Aug. 19. 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 WITNESS A TTOR/VE Y8 manual ?atented Get. 23, i923.

UNlTED STATES teasers PATENT orrics.

FRIEDRICH AUGUST KARL IZOLLE, OF VA'UXHALL, NEWJERSEY, ASSIGNOR, BY IVIESNTFI ASSIGNMENTS, TO BINDER BROS, INC.,

NEW YORK.

OF NEW YORK, N; Y., A CORPORATION OF MACHINE FOR. MAKING ARTICLES COMPOSED 01E WIRE RINGS OR Application filed August 19, 1922. Serial No 582,844.

This invention relates to machines for forming wire into rings or links and connecting such links to make an article such as a chain or a so-called ring-mesh fabric. The object of the present invention is to provide a machine of the above indicated class, in which a plurality of wires of different characteristics may be employed, so as to enable variegated elfects to be obtained by making the links of different wires. The selection or control of the particular wire for the formation of the individual links may be entirely manual, or automatic, as determined by a patternmechanism or the like, or both automatic and selection may he provided jointly. More particularly, when making ring-n'i-esh fabrics, my invention enables me to produce designs or patterns of widely varied character.

The invention ill be fully described here inafter and the features of novelty pointed out in the appended claims.

Without desiring to restrict myself to the particular details illustrated, I will now describe a typical example of my invention, as shmvn in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a plan view of a machine for making ring-mesh fabric, with my improvements embodied therein; Fig. 2 is a vertical section on line 22 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a detail elevation of the support for the ring-mesh fabric and associated mechanism, with parts in section on a plane perpendicular to the plane of Fig. 2 Fig. l is an elevation on an enlarged scale. with parts in section on a plane parallel to the plane of Fig. 3, and illustrating chiefly the wire-feeding and the selecting mechanism; 5 and 6 are vertical sect-ions on lines 5-5 and 6-6. respectively, of Fig. l; Figs. 7 and 8 are vertiz al sections, in planes parallel to the plane of Fig. 6, and showing certain details upon a still further enlarged scale, and Fig. 9 shows a portion of a fabric such as may be produced on the machine.

In order to make it clear how my invention is to be applied, I have illustrated it in conjunction with a machine of an existing type, and I will first give a brief description of such parts of the prior machine as are shown in the drawings. It will be obvious. however, that mv improvements may be applied to machines of other existing or approved types.

The frame or table 1 is supported on legs 1*, and a horizontal main shaft 2 is journalled in bearings 3 secured to said frame. At one end of said shaft are two pulleys 4-, one fast and the other loose, for co-operation with a driving belt (not shown). A shaft 5 parallel to the main shaft 2 is mounted in stationary bearings 70, 71, 72, and said shaft 5 has a screw-th eaded portion 5 engaging a nut 54 on a slide or carriage 2%. which is movable lengthwise of said shaft in one direction or the other, according to the direction in which the shaft is rotated. lhe shaft may be rotated manually by means of a hand-wheel 6, but in the normal operation it is rotated alternately in opposite directions by clutch mechanism comprising two clutch collars 62 and 63 secured rigidly to theshaft 5, and mating clutch members formed on the end faces of two pinions 18 and 20, respectively, mounted to turn upon, yet compelled to move lengthwise in un son with a sleeve which is mounted on the shaft 5 to slide thereon lengthwise between the collars 62, 63. Into a circumferential groove of this sleeve pro1ects the pointed end 68 of a slide bar 6% movable 111 a. direct on parallel to the shaft 5. This slid-e. is operated at the proper times by means of a projection 89 on the carriage 24:, adapted to engage pojections, 88 operatively connected with the slide bar 64. To hold the slide bar 64; against accidental movement, a spring latch 65 secured to astationary portion of the machine has a shaped lug 6? to engage a similar lug 66 on the bar 64. The pinions 18 and 20 are in permanent mesh with toothed sectors 19 and 21, respectively. mounted to rock about stationary axes parallel to the shaft 5 and operated from the main shaft 2 by suitable connections, such as eccentrics 22 and .43 actuating straps l6 and 17, respectively, eperatively connected with the saidsectors. It will be understood that the parts are properly timed so that when the slide bar 64 is shifted in one direction, the pinion 18 will be clutched to the collar 62 while the sector 19 is rocking to turn saidpinion 18 and the shaft 5 in one direction, while at the end of the slide bar movement in the opposite direction the pinion 20 will be clutched to the collar 63 while the sector 21 is rocking to turn said pinion and the shaft 5 in the opposite direction.

The carriage 24 has side bars 25, a rear rod 26 and an intermediate rod 26 At the front there is mounted rotatably in said side bars a roller 96 provided with pins adapted to hold the ring-mesh fabric in the well known manner. WVith this roller is connected rigidly a ratchet wheel 30, to control the stepbystep rotation of the roller by means of an. escapement pawl 33 secured rigidly to a rock shaft 27 journalled in the side bars 211' Springs 29 connected with arms 99 on the rock shaft27 tend to hold the pawl 33 in the position shown in Fig. 1, with the upper end of the pawl in engagement with the ratchet wheel. At each end of the traverse movement of the carriage 2A the shaft 27 is rocked and the roller 96 rotated a distance corresponding to a row of fabric rings, by the following mechanism: Arms 32 projecting downwardly from the rock shaft 27 exteriorly of the side bars 25 are adapted to be engaged by tripper arms 31 secured rigidly on rock shaft 13, but preferably adjustable lengthwise, for which purpose the shaft 13 has a groove 69 engaged by suitable projections on said tripper arms. The shaft 13 journalled in bearings 18 secured to the frame 1. Said shaft is parallel to the shafts 2, 5 and 27, and is operated from the main shaft 2 by means of a cain'disk 15 on the main shaft, the cam of said disk engaging the free end of an arm 14 rigid on the rock shaft 18.

On the shaft 2 are secured cams or eccentrics D, E, F, G, H, I, controlling the operation of various mechanisms for cutting the wire into suitable lengths, forming these lengths into links or rings, and attaching such rings to the end of the previously formed fabric hanging from the roller 96. It will not be necessary to describe these mechanisms in detail, since they may be of any usual or approved construction. A brief state ment of these mechanisms is as follows: Cam D operates a sliding horizontal rod (Z and through it a lever D and a slide D carrying a knife D to cut off the wire. Cam E operates a lever e fulcrumed at e and actuating a slide 61 moving vertically in a stationary frame portion 77. At the upper end of the slide 61 is a plate 60 having a horizontal guideway. Cam H operates a sliding rod h for swinging a lever 56 fulcrumed on the frame 1 at 57 and actuating a slide 59 which moves in the horizontal guideway of said plate 60. The slide 59 carries a holder 43 in which the cut length of wire is formed into U-shape. Cam G actuates a sliding rod 9 which. by means of a lever G, operates a slide G carrying a pin G which, in conjunction with the holder 43, serves to bend the wire into U-shape. 'Cam F operates a lever f fulcrumed at f and having an upwardly extending arm F to move a slide F formed at its end withmeans to assist in forming into a ring the U-shaped wire previously formed in the holder 43. Cam

I operates a lever 2' fulcrumed at i and en gaging under a lever I fulcrumed at its right-hand end (Fig. 1), the other end of the lever 1 operating to lift a vertically movable slide 1 which, at its upper end, has a pin to co-operate with the above mentioned slide 1 to complete the formation of the cut wire into a ring.

A spool 7 carrying wire 8 is mounted in a holder 9 secured to the frame 1 12. The spool is mounted to turn about an axle 10 having a milled head 11 and locked in position b a suitable nut.

The parts so far described with reference to the drawings are those of an esisting machine, such machine having a single spool of wire 7. According to my invention a plu raiity of wires of different kinds (different thicknesses, or different materials, for instance gold, silver, etc.) are. used, the particular machine illustrated having been designed for using two kinds of wire. Thus, the holder 9 carries a second spool 7 with wire 8 axle 10 and milled head 11. From these spools the two wires run in substantially straight runs, through a suit-able guide 141 to the improved feed mechanism which is employed to bring the wires from the spools to the knife I) and to the mechanism outlined above, whereby the cut pieces of wire are formed into links or rings. The main shaft 2 also carries two cams A and B, which control the operation of this new feeding mechanism. In the existing machine similar cams were employed, but the mechanism operated by them was of a somewhat different character. The cam A actuates a horizontal sliding rod a on which is secured rigidly an arm 1 12, the upper end of which engages an arm 14-3 extending downwardly from a rock shaft 1 1% journalled in a bracket 1&5 secured to the frame 1 of the machine. A spring 146 keeps the arm 143 against the arm. 1-12. From the rock shaft 144; an arm 1&7 extends upwardly, said arm, at its upper end, having a recess in which is mounted slidabiy a plunger 11-8 which a spring 149 tends to project from said recess. Nuts 150 screwed on the plunger stem serves to adjust its play. The outer end of the plunger carries a roller 151 adapted to exert pressure against one or the other of two clamping members 152, 153, which are carried by a feed slide 154. Longitudinal movement of the clamping members 152, 153 relatively to the feed slide 15 1 is prev nted by suitable projections on said feed slide, as shown best in Fig. 5. A small plate 155 secured to the feed slide by a screw 156 prevents the clamping members from leaving the recesses in which they are set, but allows them a slight degree of freedom in the direction in which the roller 151 is adapted to press on. said clamping members. The feed slide 154 has two openings or channels. for the passage of the wires 80 and 80', respectively, said channels being in registry and in communication with the recesses in which the clamping 1116111- bers 152, 153 are received (see Fig. 7). The feed slide 154 is guided horizontally in a second slide 156 movable vertically in suitable guides of the bracket 145, a spring 157 being preferably employed to throw the slide 156 into the lower position. When the slide is in its lower position the presser roller 151 ill be in registry with the upper clamping member 152 (see Fig. If, however, the slide 156 is lifted to the upper position, the lower clamping member 153 will be in registry with said presser roller 151 (see Fig. 7 Therefore, if the slide 154 is moved toward the right in Fig. 4wl1ile the roller 151 exerts pressure against the clamping member which is, at that time, in registry,the upper wire 80 or the lower wire 80 will be pressed tightly against the bottom of the recess in the feed slide 154, so that this particular wire will be fed by the movement of the slide 154 towards the right. T he other wire, however, (the upper wire in Fig. 7 and the lower wire in Fl 6), will not be fed, since the corresponding clamping member 152 or 153 will be inactive at that time. It is desirable to provide an additional safeguard to keep the particular wire which is not clamped from following the feed movement of the slide 154. For this purpose the slide 156 has a plate 157 with superposed honzontal guide grooves for the wires 80, SO, and said wires are constantly pressed against the walls of said grooves by means of presser plates 158, 159, which are mounted loosely on screws 160 secured to said slide 156 and which are pressed against the wires by springs 161. These springs are of sufficient tension to prevent the upper wire of Fig. 7 or the lower wire of Fig. 6 from following the motion of the feed slide 154 and yet they do not hold the wire strongly enough to prevent the upper wire of Fig, 6 or the lower wire of Fig. 7 from moving in unison with the feed slide 154 as the latt r moves toward the right. It will be understood that he wires coming from the spools first enter he grooves of the plate 157, then pass .hrough the grooves of the feed slide 154, and then are delivered to the wire-cutting and ring-shaping mechanism above referred to. Preferably, an additional guide is provided for each wire between the feed slide 154 and the knife D This guide consists of a bar 162 secured to the slide 156 at the delivery side thereof and provided with superposed horizontal grooves 163 for guiding the inclividual wires. A cover plate 164 is prefer ably provided at the front of the bar 162 to insure proper alignment of the two'wires.

The movement of the feed slide in one direction is obtained by means of spring 165 coiled around a rod 166-which is rigid with said slide. This spring effects the return movement of the slide. The feed movement of the slide is obtained positively by means of an arm B arranged to operate against a head 167 at the free end of the rod 166, said arm-being secured to a rock shaft B which has another arm 100 in the path of a sliding rod Z) which is operated by the cam B.

The movement of the slide 156 may be efv fected manually by means of a lever 168 fulcrumed on the bracket 145 at 169 and having a knob 1.70 for manualoperation. The other end of the lever 168 has aloose engagement with a pin 171 extending downwardly from the slide 156.

It will be obvious that by means of the le vol" 168 the operator may throw the slit 0 156 either into the upper or intothe lower position, so as to bring the presser roller 151 into operative relation to the clamping member 152 or the clamping member 153. The spring 146 tends to throw the roller 151 away from said clamping members, so thatpressure is at least not stron 'l' enou h to clam) the c y o wire, the arm 142 therefore acting only durmg the feeding movement of the slide 154.

The operatormay therefore cause either the wire 80 or the wire 80 to be used in the for mation of any particular link or ring of the fabric, and with the aid of a suitable pattern showing the design to be produced, the operator can raise or lower the slide 146 as demanded by the design, and in this way produce, by manual control, designs of various character, for instance like the one shown in Fig. 9. The links shown by light lines in this figure may be of one material, say silver, while the links shown by heavy lines may be of a different material, for instance gold, it

being understood thatthe links of one kind are made from the wire 80 and those of em a latch or rocking lever 172 pivoted to the bracket 145 at 173 and having a cam shoulder 173 by which the lever 168 may be l cked in the depressed position when desired.

While, as described above, it ispossible to produce patterns ordesigns by the manual operation of the lever 168, 1 consider it desirable to have this pattern-producing operation controlled automatically, and for this purpose the following mechanism has been provided: The lower end of the pin 171 engages a lever 174 which is fulcrumed on the frame 1 at 175. Said lever, at its free end, is provided with afinger 176 engaging a pattern cam 177 which is mounted to turn in brackets 178 projected downwardly from the side bars 25 of the carriage 24 which, as above described, is traversed across the machine, first in one direction and then in the other. The pattern cam 177 is removable, so that the proper cam for each particular design may be placed in position. For this purpose the cam is generally formed as a sleeve removable from the shaft 179, which is journalled in the brackets 178, the cam, however, being held to rotate with said shaft. The cam which there fore extends parallel to the fabric support or roller 96 is compelled to rotate in the same manner as said roller by means of any suitable mechanism, for instance a chain 180 engaging sprocket wheels 181 and 182 on the shaft of the roller 96 and of the cam 177,respectively, said sprockets being of equal diameter.

It will be obvious, particularly from Fig. 3, that during the operation of the machine the cam 177 will move in a direction parallel to its axis of rotation in unison with the carriage 2 1, 25 and with the fabric support 96. In addition thereto, every time the roller 96 is given a partial rotation, a rotation of like extent will be given to the cam 177. It will be obvious that, according to the location of the raised and depressed portions of the pattern cam 177 the lever 174 will be swung up or down by the action of said cam and the slide 156 will be moved down or up, respectively. It will be noted that the depressions of the cam 177 form part of one cylindrical surface While the raised portions of the cam lie within another cylindrical surface. Of course, the parts are so proportioned that the two positions which the lever 1741 will assume according as its point 176 rests on a raised or on a depressed portion of the cam 177 will bring either the clamping member 152 or the clamping member 153 into exact registry with the presser roller 151.

It will be noted, particularly with reference .to Figs. 4 and 6, that the lever 174 is in loose engagement with the lower end of the pin 171. Therefore the pin may be lifted by the manual operation of the lever 168 without affecting the position of the automatically operated lever 174 and the particular conv struction illustrated will therefore admit of either manual or automatic control of the slide 156, and the slide 156 may be lifted manually even at such times when the cam 177 has brought said slide into its lower position.

Various modifications may be made within the scope of the claims without departing from the nature of my invention.

I claim:

1. lVire-feeding mechanism comprising a traveling member adapted to engage a plurality of wires, a plurality of clamping members movablein unison with said traveling member and also movable relatively thereto transversely of its traveling motion to clamp or release the respective wires, pressure means adapted to engage said clamping members and to press them against the respective wires, and means for eli'ecting relative motion between said pressure means and said traveling member in a direction transverse to the traveling motion of said member and also transverse to the clamping movement of the clamping members to establish a co-operative relation between said pressure means and the different clamping members.

2. YVire-feeding mechanism comprising a feed slide adapted to engage a plurality of wires, a plurality of clamping members movable in unison with said slide and also movable relatively thereto transversely of its feed movement to clamp or release the respective wires, pressure means adapted to engage said clamping members and to press them against the respective wires, and means for elfect ing relative motion between said slide and said pressure means in a direction trans verse to the feed movement of said slide and also transverse to the clamping movement of the clamping members to establish a co-operative relation between said pressure means and the different clamping members.

3. VVire-feeding mechanism comprising a feed slide adapted to engage a plurality of wires, a plurality of clamping members movable in unison with said she e and also movable relatively thereto transversely of its feed movement to clamp or release the respective wires, pressure means adapted to engage said clamping members and to press them against the respective wires, said pressure means be ing independent of the traveling motion of the slide and means for moving said slide transversely of its feed movement and also transversely of the clamping movement of the clamping members to bring different clamping members into co-operative relation to the said pressure means.

1. Vile-feeding mechanism comprising a feed slide adapted to engage a plurality of wires, a plurality of clamping members movable in unison with said slide and also movable relatively thereto transversely of its feed movement to clamp or release the respective wires, pressure means adapted to engage said clamping members and to press them against the respective wires, means for effecting relative motion between said slide and said pressure means in a direction transverse to the feed movement of said slide and also transverse to the clamping movement of the clamping members to establish a co-operative relation between said pressure means and the dif (ill ferent clamping members, and means for forcing the n'essure means toward the clamping members during the feed movement of the traveling member and for releasing the clamping members from such pressure means during the return movement of said traveling member.

5. ire-feeding mechanism comprising a feed slide adapted to engage a plurality of wires, a phirality of clamping members movable in unison with said slide and also movable relatively thereto transversely of its teed movement to clamp or release the respective wires, pressure means adapted to engage said clamping members and to press them against the respective wires, means for effecting relative motion between said slide and said pressure means in a direction transverse to the feed movement of said slide and also transverse to the clamping movement of the clamping members to establish a co-operative relation between saidpressure means and the different clamping members, means for forcing the pressure means toward the clamping members during the feed movement of the traveling member and for releasing the lampin members from such pressure means during the return movement of said traveling member, and means for holding the wires against accidental longitudinal movement.

lVire-feeding mechanism comprising a feed slide adapted to engage a plurality of wires, a plurality of clamping members movable in unison with said slide and also mov able relatively thereto transversely of its feed movement to clamp or release the respective wires, pressure means adapted to engage said clamping members and to press them against the respective wires, means for effecting rela tive motion between said slide and said pressure means in a direction transverse to the feed movement of said slide and also trans verse to the clamping movement of the clamping members to establish a co-operative relation between said pressure means and the different clamping men'ibers, means for forcing the pressure means toward the clamping members during;- the feed movement of the travel ing member and for releasing the clamping members from such pressure means during the return movementof said traveling member, and pressure means engaging the wires permanently at a distance from the traveling; and the clamping members to prevent accidental longitudinal movement of the wires. T. YVire-feeding mechanism comprising a feed slide adapted to engage a plurality of wires, a plurality of clamping members movable in unison with said slide and also movable relatively thereto transversely of its feed movement to clamp or release the respective wires, pressure means adapted to engage said clamping members and to press them against the respective wires, means for effecting relative motion between said slide and said pressure means in a direction transverse to the feed movementof said slide and also transverse to the clamping movement of the-clamping members to establish a cooperative relation between said pressure means and the different clamping members, means for forcing the pressure means toward the'clamping members during thefeed movement of the traveling memberand for releasing the clamping members from such pressure means during the return movement of said traveling member, and presser plates independent of the longitudinal movement of the traveling member engaging the wires at a distance from the traveling and the clamping members to prevent accidental. longitudinal movement of the wires. r

8. VVire-feeding mechanism comprising a feed slide adapted to engage a plurality of wires, a plurality of clamping members movable in unison with said feed slidefand also movable relatively thereto transversely of its feed movement to clamp or release the respeetive wires, another slide carrying said feed slide and movable in a direction transverse to the feed movement of the feed slide and also transverse to the clamping; movement of the clamping members. and pressure means adapted to engage different clamping members according to the position of the slide which carries the feedslide.

9. In a machine for making; articles from wires, a longitudinally movable support for the article in process of manufacture, said support beingalso rotatable on its axis, a plurality of wire-supplying means, selective mechanism for feeding different wires, and automatic control means movable in unison with said support both as regards its longitudinal motion and its turning on its axis to determine which of said wires shall be fed in registry with predetermined points of said support.

10. In a machine for making articles from wires, a longitudinally movable support for the article-in process of manufacture, said support being also rotatable on its axis, a

plurality ofwire-supplying means, selective mechanism for feeding different wires. a pattern-cam rotatable about an axis parallel to that of said support, a common carrier for said cam and said support, an operative connection by which said cam and said support are compelled to rotate in unison, and means controlled by said cam for governing said selective mechanism. v

11. In a machine for making articles from wires, a longitudinally movable support for the article in process of manufacture, said support being also rotatable on its axis, a plurality of wire-supplying means, selective mechanism for feeding different wires, a pattern-cam rotatable about an axis parallel to that of said support, means for compelling said cam and said support to rotate and to move lengthwise in unison, and means controlled by said cam for governing said selective mechanism.

12. lVire-feeding mechanism comprising a feed slide adapted to engage a plurallty of wires, a plurality of clamping members movable in unison with said feed slide and also movable relatively thereto transversely of its feed movement to clamp or release the respective wires, another slide carrying said feed slide and movable in a direction transverse to the feed movement of the feed slide and also transverse to the clamping movement of the clamping members, a support for the article in process of manufacture, an automatic pattern-control mechanism moving in unison with saidsupport, means operatedby said pattern-control for moving the slide which carries the feed slide, manuallyoperated means for moving said carrying slit e independently of said automatic patterncont-rol, and pressure means adapted to cooperate with different clamping members ao cording to the position of said carrying slide.

13. In a machine for making mesh fabric, a support adapted to receive the mesh fabric as it is formed, link forming mechanism, a wire feeding device adapted to feed a plurality of wires to said link forming mechanism, a pattern control member having a con-- tour ,rel'iresentativ-e of a complete pattern, said fabric support and said pattern control member having an intermittent movement during the formation of each row of links and an axial movement at the end of the formation of each row of links.

14. A machine for making link mesh which comprises the combination of a support for a piece of mesh, link-forming tools, power driven mechanism for giving the tools and the piece of mesh a step by step relative movement and for operating the tools in each period of rest of this movement, a plurality of supplies of wire link material, means for feeding material from the supplies to the link forming tools, and a selecting means operated by the power driven mechanism for selecting the supply from which the material is to be fed and including a member having effective control areas disposed thereon in accordance with a pattern, a control finger movable to different positions of rest determined by the control areas on the member, and means for causing a relative movement of the member and the control finger in one 7 direction to present a series of such areas to the finger one after another, and a second relative movement in a different direction such that upon the resumption of the first relative movement a second series of areas will be presented to the finger one after another.

15. A machine for making link mesh which comprises the combination of a support for a piece of mesh, link-forming tools, power driven mechanism for giving the tools and the piece of mesh a step by step relative movement, and for operating the tools in each period of rest of this movement, a plurality of supplies of wire link material, means for feeding material from the supplies to the linkforming tools, and a selecting means operable by the power driven mechanism for se lecting the supply from which the material is to be fed and including a member having effective control areas arranged thereon according to a pattern, a control finger movable to different positions of rest determined by the control areas on the member and in each such position of rest operable to render a selected feeding means operative, and means for causing a relative movement of the member and the control linger in one direc tion such that the control areas of a group are successively presented to the finger, and for causing a second relative movement of the member and the control finger in a different direction whereby the areas of another group are successively presented to the finger.

16. A machine for making link mesh which comprises the combination of a support for a piece of mesh, link-forming tools, power driven mechanism for giving the tools and the piece of mesh a step by step relative movement and for operating the tools in each period of rest of this movement, plurality of supplies of wire link material, means for feeding material from the supplies to the link-forming tools, and a selecting means operated by the power driven mechanism for selecting the supply from which the material is to be fed and including a pair of members having a step by step relative movement in one direction in correspondence with theformation of individual links and a step by step IGlilQlVC movement in a difi'erent oirec t-ion in correspondence with the formation of complete rows of links in the piece of mesh.

17. A machine for making link mesh which comprises the combination of asupport for a piece of mesh, link-forming tools, power ilriven mechanism for giving the tools and the piece of mesh a step by step relative movement and for operating the tools in each period of rest of this movement, a plurality of supplies of wire link material, means for feeding material from the supplies to the link-forming tools, and a selecting means opcrated by the power driven mechanism for selecting the supply from which the material is to be fed and including a member having effective control areas thereon arranged according to a predetermined pattern, a control iinger movable to different positions of rest determined by the control areas, and means for causing a relative reciprocatory movement of the member and the finger step by step in a direction transversely of the length of the men'ibcr in correspondence with the formation of individual links, and a sec ond step by step relative movement in a dilit) rection at an angle to the direction of the first movement in correspondence with the formation of rows of links, the steps in the latter movement occurring between reversals in the direction of the reciprocatory relative movement.

18. A machine for i'naking link mesh which comprises the combination of support for a piece of mesh, link-forming tools, power driven mechanism for giving the tools and control areas on the member, and means for causing a relative movement of the member and the control finger such that the control areas in successive groups are successively presented to the linger to control the position oi rest of the latter.

19. A machine for making link mesh which comprises the con'ibina-tion of a sugport for a piece of mesh, link-{ermin tools, power driven mechanism for giving the tools and th epiece of mesha step by step relative movement and for operating the tools in each period of rest of this movement, a plurality of supplies of wire link material, means for feeding material from the supplies to the wh1ch comprises the combination of a suplink-l'orming tools, and a selectin means operated by the power driven mechanism for selecting the supply from which the material is to be fed, and including a member having eiiective control areas arranged thereon in groups, a control linger movable to dili erent positions of rest determined by the control areas on the member, and means for causing a step by step relative moven'ient oi the member and the control finger in a direction along the groups so that the control areas in a group are successively presented to the linger, and

also in a direction across the groups so that the areas in succeeding groups may be presented to the finger.

20. A machine tor making link mesh which comprises the combination of a support for a piece of mesh, link-forming tools, power driven mechanism for giving the tools and the piece of mesh a step by step relative movement and for operating the tools in each period of rest of this movement, a plurality of supplies of wire link material, means for feeding material from the supplies to the linkforming tools, and a selecting means operated by the power driven mechanism for selecting the supply from which the material is 'to be fed and including a member having effective control areas arranged thereon in groups, a cont-rel finger movable to different positions of rest determined by the control areas on the member, and meansfor causing a relative movement of the member and the control linger step by step along the groups, and a second relative movement oi the memher and the control linger step by step across the groups, a step in the second movement occurring at a predetermined point in the first relative movement. I

21. A machine for making link mesh which comprises the combination of a support for a piece of mesh, li.nk-iorming tools, power driven mechanism for giving the tools and the piece of mesh astep by step relative movement and for operating the tools in each period of rest of this movement, a plurality of supplies of wire link material, means for feeding material trom the supplies to the link-forming tools, andaselecting means operated by the power driven mechanism for selecting the supply from which material will be fed to the tools and for determining the number of links which will be made from a selected material, this selecting means incluc'iing a. member having effective control areas arranged thereon in parallel groups, a control linger movable to different positions of rest determined by the control areas on the member, and means for causing a relative movement of the member and the control linger such that the control areas in successive groups are presented to the linger one alter another to control the position of rest of the latter. i

'22. A' machine for making link mesh port for a piece of mesh, link-:lorming tools, power driven mechanism for giving the tools and the piece of mesh a step by step relative movement and for operating the tools in each period of rest of this n'iovement, a plurality of supplies of wire link material, means for feeding material from the supplies to the link-forming tools, and a selecting means operated by the power driven mechanism for selecting the supply from. which the mate rial is to be led and including a member having effective control areas arranged thereon in parallel groups and according to a predetermined pattern, these areas being arranged on the member in correspondence with the position of links in the. piece of mesh, a control linger movableto dilierent positions of rest determined bythe control areas on the, member, and means for causing a step by step relative movement of the control member and the finger such that successive control areas till 23. A machine for making link mesh which comprises'the combination of a support for a piece of mesh, link-forming tools, power driven mechanism for giving the tools and the piece of mesh a step by step relative movement and for operating the tools in each period of rest of this movement, a plurality of supplies of wire link material, means for feeding material from the supplies to the link-forming tools, and a selecting means operated by the power driven mechanism for selecting the supply from which the material is to be fed and including a member having effec-tivecontrol areas arranged thereon in groups, a control finger movable to differ ent positions of rest determined by these areas. and means for causing a step by step relative movement of the member and the finger such that the areas in one group are successively presented to the finger and the areas in the next group are also successively presented to the finger but in the reverse order. 7

24. A machine for making link mesh which comprises the combination of a support for a piece of mesh, link-forming tools, power driven mechanism for giving the tools and the piece of mesh a step by step relative movement and for operating the tools in each period of rest of this movement, [a plurality of supplies of wire link material, means for feeding this material to the linkforming tools, andautomatici means operated by the power driven mechanism for selecting from the several supplies so that the material will be fed to the link-forming tools in a predetermined order of succession, and for determining the number of links made of the selected material before shifting to another sup-ply, the said automatic means including a pair of members given a step by step relative movement in one direction in correspondence with the formation of individual links, and a second step by step relative movement in a different direction in correspondence with the formation of complete rows of links in the piece of mesh.

25. A machine for making link mesh which comprises the combination of a sup port for a piece of link mesh, link-forming tools, power driven mechanism for operating the tools and for moving the tools and the piece of mesh relatively, a plurality of supplies of wire, means for feeding wire from the several supplies to the tools, and a selecting means operated by the power driven mechanism for selecting one or another of the supplies of wire from which the wire will be fed, this selecting means including a pair of members given a'step by step relative movementin one direction in correspondence with the formation of individual links, and a second step by step relative movement in a different direction in correspondence with the formation of complete rows of links in the piece of mesh, the steps in the second movement occurring at a predetermined point in the course of the first movement.

26. A machine for making link mesh which comprises the combination of a support for a piece oi mesh, link-f rming tools, power driven mechanism for giving the tools and the piece of mesh a step by step relative movement and for operating the tools in each period of rest of this movement, a plurality 27. A machine for making link mesh which comprises the combination of a support for a piece of mesh, link-forming tools, power driven mechanisms for giving the tools and the piece of mesh a step by step relative movement and for operating the tools in each period. of rest of this movement, a plurality of supplies of wire link material, means for feeding this material to the link-forming tools, and a selecting means operated by the power driven mechanism for selecting the supply from which the material is to be fed, and including a member having effective areas arranged thereon in groups, the number of links in a row in the piece of mesh produccd on the machine being a multiple of the number of areas in a group.

28. A machine for making link mesh. which comprises the combination of a support for a piece of mesh, link-forming tools, power driven mechanism for giving the tools and the piece of mesh a step by step relative movement and for operating the tools in each period of rest of this movement, a plurality of supplies of wire link material, means for feeding this material to the link-ii orming tools, and a selecting means operated by the power driven mechanism for selecting the supply from which the material is to be fed and including a member having effective areas arranged thireon-in groups, position of these areas in a group correspond ing to the position of the links in a row in the piece of mesh, and the member having as many groups of such areas as there are rows of links in a complete piece of mesh.

A machine for making link mesh which comprises the combination of a support for a piece of mesh, link-forming tools, power driven mechanism for giving the tools and the piece of mesh a step by step relative movement and for operating the tools in each period of rest of this movement, a plurality of supplies of wire link material, means for feeding this material to the link-forming with the i tools, and a selecting means operated by the power driven mechanism for selecting the supply from which the material is to be ted, and including a member. having eii'ective areas thereon arranged in groups, the position of said areas in a group corresponding to the position or the links in a row in thc piece of mesh, and means for moving the member with a step by step moven'ient in one direction in correspondence with the formation of individual links and with a step by step movement inanother direction in correspondence with the formation oi complete rows of links in the piece of mesh.

30. A. machine for making link mesh which comprises the combination or" a support for a piece of mesh, linlniorming tools, power driven mechanism for giving the tools and the piece of mesh a step by step relative movement and for operating the toolsin each period of rest of this movement, a plurality of supplies of wire link material, means for feeding this material to the link-forming tools, and a selecting means operated by the power driven mechanism for selecting the sup-ply from which the material is to be fed, and including a member having effective areas thereon arranged in groups, and IHQAHS for bringing the effective areas in each group successively into operative position and for bringing the groups successively into operative position.

31. A machine for making link mesh which comprises the combination of a support for a piece o'r' mesh, link-forming tools, power driven mechanism for giving the tools and the piece of mesh a step by step; relative movement and for operating the tools in each period of rest of this movement, a plurality of supplies or wire link material, means for feeding this material to the lmkdornnng tools. and a selecting means operated by the power driven mechanism for selecting the supply from which the material is to be fed, and including a member having etlectivc areas thereon arranged according to a predetermined pattern and means "for moving the member with a step by step reciprocat-ory movement in a direction transversely of its length in correspondence with the formation of individual links and with a step by step movement in the direction of its length, the latter movement occurring at the reversals in the direction of the recipr catory movement.

A machine for making link mesh which comprises the combination of a support for a piece of mesh, link-forming tools, power driven mechanism for giving the tools and the piece of mesh a step by step relative movement and for operating the tools in each period of rest of this movement, a plurality of supplies of wire link materlal', means tor feeding this material to the link-forming tools, a selecting means operated by the power driven mechanismtor giving the tools and the piece of mesh a step by step relative move ment and for operating the tools in each period of rest of this movement, a plurality of supplies of 'wire link material, means for feeding this material to the link-forming tools, and a selecting means operated by the power driven, mechanism. for selecting the supply from which the material is to be fed,

and including a member having effective control areas arranged thereon in groups and means for advancing the member in the direction oi the length of the groups with a step by step movement one area at a step and in a direction across the groups with a step by step movement one group at a step.

54-. A machine for making link mesh which comprises the combination of a support for a piece of mesh, link-forming tools, power driven mechanism for giving the tools and piece of mesh a step by step relative movement and for operating the tools in each period of rest of this movement. a plurality of supplies of wire link material, means for feeding this material to the link-forming tools, and a selecting means operated by the power driven mechanism for selecting the supply from which the material is to be fed, and including a member having effective control areas arranged thereon in groups and means for advancing the member with a step by step movement, one area at a step, in one direction along one group and in the opposite direction along the next group.

35. A machine for making link mesh which comprises the combination of a support for a piece of mesh, link-forming tools, power driven mechanism for giving the tools and the piece of mesh a step by step relative movement and for operating the tools in each period of rest 01 this movement, a plurality of supplies of wire link material, means for feeding this material to the link-forming tools, and a selecting means operated by the power driven mechanism for selecting the supply from which the material is to be fed, and including a member having efiective control areas arranged thereon in groups, and means for advancing the member with a step by step movement, one area at a step, in one direction along one group. and in the opposite direction along the next group, and for advancing the member with a step by step movement, one group at a step, in a direction across the groups, one step in the latter step by step movement occurring at predetermined points in the course of the former step by step movement. 7 p

36. A machine for making link mesh which comprises the combination of a support for a piece of mesh, link-forming tools, power driven mechanism for giving the tools and the piece of mesh a step by step relative moveinent and for operating the tools in each period of rest of this movement. a plurality of supplies of wire link material, means for feeding material to the link-forming tools from each of these supplies, and control mechanism for determining the source of supply from which material is to be fed to the tools, including a member having effective control areas disposed thereon in parallel groups, and means controlled by these areas for rendering a selected feeding means operative while the others are inoperative.

'37. A machine for making link mesh which comprises the combination of a support for a piece of mesh, link-forming tools, power driven mechanism for giving the tools and the piece of mesh a step by step relative movcment and for operating the tools in each period of rest of this movement, a plurality of supplies of wire link material, means for feede ing material to the link-forming tools from each of these supplies and control mechanism for determining the supply from which material is to be ted. to the tools and including a member having effective control areas disposed thereon ingroups, this member having a step by step movement in one direction in correspondence with the formation of individual links to bring the areas successively in position and a step by step movement in a FRlEDRlCl-l AUGUST KARL ROLLE. 

